DENVER — The Oscars are coming up and many of us here at Denver7 have Oscar fever (well, maybe just a small Oscar cold). In the spirit of the 91st Academy Awards, which airs Sunday at 6 p.m. on Denver7, we're looking back at movies with a Colorado connection that have won or were nominated for an Oscar.
The following 13 films were either shot entirely in Colorado or have just a few scenes of the Centennial State, according to Film in Colorado.
The Hateful Eight
The Quentin Tarantino film was shot entirely in southwestern Colorado near Telluride.
IMDB description
“In the dead of a Wyoming winter, a bounty hunter and his prisoner find shelter in a cabin currently inhabited by a collection of nefarious characters.”
Oscar
Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score – WINNER
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role – Nominated
Best Achievement in Cinematography - Nominated
The Lone Ranger
Parts of the 2013 film was filmed in Colorado, specifically near Creede.
IMDB description
Native American warrior Tonto recounts the untold tales that transformed John Reid, a man of the law, into a legend of justice.
Oscar
Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling - Nominated
Best Achievement in Visual Effects – Nominated
About Schmidt
Parts of this 2002 film was shot in Denver and the surrounding area.
IMDB description
A man upon retirement, embarks on a journey to his estranged daughter's wedding, only to discover more about himself and life than he ever expected.
Oscar
Best Actor in a Leading Role, Jack Nicholson - Nominated
Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Kathy Bates – Nominated
Independence Day
Portions of this 1996 film were shot at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs.
IMDB description
The aliens are coming and their goal is to invade and destroy Earth. Fighting superior technology, mankind's best weapon is the will to survive.
Oscar
Best Effects, Visual Effects - WINNER
Best Sound – Nominated
Wyatt Earp
Portions of this 1994 film were shot in the San Luis Valley near Antonito, Colorado.
IMDB description
The story of Wyatt Earp as he interacts and battles other famous figures of the Wild West era.
Oscar
Best Cinematography – Nominated
In the Line of Fire
A scene from this 1993 was filmed at Civic Center Park in Denver.
IMDB description
Secret Service agent Frank Horrigan couldn't save Kennedy, but he's determined not to let a clever assassin take out this president.
Oscar
Best Actor in a Supporting Role, John Malkovich – Nominated
Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen, Jeff Maguire – Nominated
Best Film Editing – Nominated
Cliffhanger
Portions of this 1993 film were shot in and around Durango and Colorado’s high country.
IMDB description
A botched mid-air heist results in suitcases full of cash being searched for by various groups throughout the Rocky Mountains.
Oscar
Best Sound – Nominated
Best Effects, Sound Effects Editing - Nominated
Best Effects, Visual Effects - Nominated
Thelma & Louise
Portions of this 1991 movie were filmed in western Colorado in and around Bedrock and Gateway.
IMDB description
Two best friends set out on an adventure, but it soon turns around to a terrifying escape from being hunted by the police, as these two girls escape for the crimes they committed.
Oscar
Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen – WINNER
Best Actress in a Leading Role, Geena Davis – Nominated
Best Actress in a Leading Role, Susan Sarandon – Nominated
Best Director, Ridley Scott - Nominated
Best Cinematography - Nominated
Best Film Editing - Nominated
City Slickers
A portion of this 1991 movie was filmed in and around Durango.
IMDB description
On the verge of turning 40, an unhappy Manhattan yuppie is roped into joining his two friends on a cattle drive in the southwest.
Oscar
Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Jack Palance – WINNER
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Portions of this 1989 movie were filmed in southwest Colorado, including Cortez, Pagosa Springs and Alamosa.
IMDB description
In 1938, after his father Professor Henry Jones, Sr. goes missing while pursuing the Holy Grail, Indiana Jones finds himself up against Adolf Hitler's Nazis again to stop them obtaining its powers.
Oscar
Best Effects, Sound Effects Editing – WINNER
Best Sound – Nominated
Best Music, Original Score – Nominated
WarGames
Portions of this 1983 film were shot in and around Colorado Springs and the Cheyenne Mountain Complex.
IMDB description
A young man finds a back door into a military central computer in which reality is confused with game-playing, possibly starting World War III.
Oscar
Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen
Best Cinematography – Nominated
Best Sound – Nominated
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
Portions of this 1969 movie were filmed in and around Durango, Telluride and Silverton.
IMDP description
Wyoming, early 1900s. Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid are the leaders of a band of outlaws. After a train robbery goes wrong they find themselves on the run with a posse hard on their heels. Their solution - escape to Bolivia.
Oscar
Best Writing, Story and Screenplay Based on Material Not Previously Published or Produced – WINNER
Best Cinematography - WINNER
Best Music, Original Song - WINNER
Best Music, Original Score for a Motion Picture (not a Musical) – WINNER
Best Picture - Nominated
Best Director - Nominated
Best Sound - Nominated
True Grit
Portions of this 1969 movie were filmed in Cañon City, Castle Rock, Gunnison, Montrose, Ouray and Ridgway.
IMDB description
A drunken, hard-nosed U.S. Marshal and a Texas Ranger help a stubborn teenager track down her father's murderer in Indian territory.
Oscar
Best Actor in a Leading Role, John Wayne – WINNER
Best Music, Original Song – Nominated